Friday, February 15, 2013

Beautiful Pancake Bonanza of Love

It came up in conversation recently that neither one of us had ever had a Chocolate Chip Pancake. I've certainly heard of chocolate chip pancakes... but I tend to be a bit of a purist, and I usually make plain pancakes. Actually, I'll tell you who the real purist is: Mr. Vegan Eats & Treats. I like the idea of putting blueberries or other fruity fun in my pancakes, but Mr VE&T always insists on the plain ones.

So, somehow, we came up with the idea that we would celebrate Valentine's Day by having a Pancake Buffet together for lunch!

What you see here is: one plain pancake, one chocolate chip pancake, one blueberry pancake, and one banana-walnut pancake. We both had one of each... complete with some Earth Balance, maple syrup, orange slices and a big cuppa joe. (for the pancake recipe I used the Perfect Pancakes from Vegan Brunch - I love that recipe, they always turn out perfectly for me!)

So, what's the verdict? We both agreed that the chocolate chip pancake was our least favorite. I felt like the chocolate flavors were too strong and intense and got in the way of my pancake experience. Also, somehow I felt like they weren't "morning appropriate."

Next up, the blueberry pancake. I loved it. I also noticed that with each bite, the blueberry momentum would build and the experience got better and better. I like the juicy, fruity bloob explosion when you get a whole blueberry in each bite.

Of course, plain pancakes are good and perfect, because DUH.

But you know who was my True Favorite?? That Banana Walnut Pancake. I loved loved loved it. I just chopped up some walnuts, diced up half a banana, and tossed them on top of the pancake after I had poured the batter onto the griddle. Sakes alive, that was some serious YumTown. Mr. VE&T (the purist) was a bit distressed. This is an actual quote, when I told him that the Banana Walnut Pancake was my favorite: "I am not a religious man, but please, don't blaspheme." ha ha. Nonetheless, under duress, he too agreed that they were very special. I think I have a new favorite pancake.

18 comments:

I have to admit, I am always weirded out by chocolate chip pancakes. The chips get melty, and then they're in that weird format that isn't quite chocolate chip but isn't quite dispersed chocolate... too strange.

Almost every year for my birthday I make chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast, and every time I feel sick afterwards from all the chocolate. You're right, it's too much! Chopped banana sounds amazing, all warm with the crunchy walnuts. I usually go for plain with a fruit topping, myself.

Your pictures are superb. They make me smile really wide whenever I see them. :DAlso, pancakes are suupper delicious. I am a huge fan of chocolate chip pancakes actually. They are definitely my favorite and I think the maple/chocolate flavor is out of control delicious. But I kind of have a chocolate problem... :)

I haven't tried chocolate chip pancakes but have also been meaning too. At least I won't be too confused if I don't love them now having read that they're not so great. I'm a huge pancake fan and even though I'm English, I've always preferred the fluffy American type to our flat ones. I'm one of those people who has to make different recipes all the time so I don't really have a favourite. I recently made Dreena Burton's apple oat pancakes which were awesome. I love coconut too, and blueberry, and pumpkin, and plain topped with pb + j, and banana of course...You've got me carried away!

I've been eating chocolate chip pancakes since I was a kid. Always one of my favorites. Yum yum. Does make it harder to share one with the dogs though. Banana slices in pancakes are amazing. I love all types of pancakes, although often these days since I don't do syrup (need to be low glycemic), I make a stevia-sweetened berry jam and maybe a little coconut butter to spread on top. It's good.

What a fun idea to have a pancake buffet! That's some serious pancake love. Have you made the blueberry and corn pancakes with lemony filling from Vegan Sandwiches Save the Day yet? Mr. VE&T would probably not be into them, because there are actual corn kernels and blueberries in the pancakes. However, they are mind blowing! I made them last weekend, and they were unlike any other pancake experience I've ever had. You'll love them!

Yeah, chocolate chips are just too sweet - I did try cacoa nibs recently though which add a nice bitterness. Love bananas with nuts or quick oats subbed for a bit of the flour. Plain with strawberries on top in the summer.

You must consider getting a pancake puff pan. Those things are amazing! If you do, use the Perfect Pancakes and thin out the batter slightly.

Jen!!! I have seen those pans, but somehow I thought they were for weirdo not-ever-vegan thing, and hadn't ever considered getting one. Then, when you suggested a "pancake puff pan" I thought "WHAT THE HECK IS THAT!?" - googled it, and ouila! I will keep an eye out at Ross or the thrift store. Now I am pretty much convinced that life will be better with pancake puffs. Thank you for the tip off!!

I make a warm strawberry compote to top them with (perfect pancakes here too) and then soyatoo on top of that. Definitely not for breakfast. We do this when we have breakfast for dinner. I made six (!) batches last night to feed my family of six plus my brother-in-law's family, and I had only five pancakes left over. We had the strawberry stuff and I also made cooked cinnamon apples as an alternate topping. Yum!

Gorgeous! I love banana pancakes too and eat them way too often (plus they're so easy...) I also really like to make gingery apples to pour on top of my pancakes. There;s a restaurant in Atlanta that makes caramelized bananas and walnuts for their pancakes- just some earth balance and brown sugar in the pan for a simple caramelly coating.